Transcending gender roles : female empowerment in game of thrones

• Main Author: Lee, Siao Shuan
• Other Authors: Christopher Peter Trigg
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: DRNTU::Humanities::Language::English
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/63113
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Since its premiere, Game of Thrones (GOT) has received criticisms for its frequent portrayal of sex, nudity, sexual violence, and specifically, its treatment of the female gender and exploitation of the female body. It has thus been identified by some as a sexist show that objectifies and discriminates women. This final year project essay will challenge this claim and explore the various ways women are portrayed in the series, aiming to bring to attention that female empowerment is still present and achieved, despite all the criticisms that would argue otherwise. Many online articles have sparked debates regarding the show being sexist and even misogynistic. Yet, other critiques have chosen to see the series in a more positive light, contesting that it reveals the female potential and capacity to excel and transcend the limiting domestic roles imposed on them. I am in favor of the latter perspective that GOT still manages to achieve female empowerment despite its tendency to capitalize on female nudity. This paper will hence argue that GOT not only serves as a reflection of how women are historically subjected to oppression and sexual violence, but more importantly, it also demonstrates the growing power and significance the female sex encompasses. Set in a fantasy medieval world, the series reflects the highly disadvantaged circumstances women are subjected to in a male-dominated society where the social stigma of women being “lesser” and inferior prevails. However, the value and appeal of GOT lie in its propensity to allow character development of these female characters, chronicling their growth into strong and empowered personalities that go against the conventional depiction of women as passive and one-dimensional characters. The series hence presents the evolution of the female gender as an empowering force where women are increasingly given more opportunities to take on roles they have previously been denied through the history of gender. Hence, we can see that in today’s context, it is acceptable for women to take up equal roles as men and/or even surpass them in the political hierarchy. Adopting the stand that GOT is a television series that empowers the female sex, this paper will begin by examining pre-existing social conditions and gender binaries as factors that have long shaped and contributed to female oppression. This first section will argue that despite being denied of their rightful freedom in society, the resultant female struggle that these oppressed women face actually serves as a catalyst and driving force that shape and reconstruct their respective identities to becoming independent and self-empowered individuals. The spectrum of female roles present in the show also diverges from the stereotypical portrayal of women as a generic class. With the presence of warrior women to strategic manipulators and women blessed with the extraordinary gift of magic, I will argue that GOT effectively qualifies as a show rooted in the celebration of female power and achievements. The next section of the paper will examine the commercial aspect of GOT as a television series, engaging film theories such as “the male gaze”, the media’s portrayal of women on television, and discussions pertaining to the fundamental problem of female nudity. A comparison with the original book, A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin, will also be explored to reflect the change in contemporary society’s attitude towards women. To conclude this paper, the last section will focus on the exploration of male characters in GOT who exhibit potential as “male feminists”. The term “masculinity” will also be analyzed as a concept that is deeply associated with the performance of gender, rather than being an inseparable anatomical trait. We will see that the “penis” serves as a signifier of one’s source of masculinity, rendering men to be equally vulnerable to societal dictation and pressure. Gender as a social construct will also be explored, and the concept of “castration” will be brought in to support the point that being male or female does not define one’s identity and value as an individual.To conclude, this paper will end by reinforcing that GOT allows female characters to transcend conventional roles by investing in their character development and demonstrating the female potential to excel in various areas through presenting them in a spectrum of roles. Also, it will be argued that the misogynistic components in GOT in fact reflects the relevance of gender discrimination even in our contemporary society. Hence, to see such strong and empowered female characters taking on important leading roles in GOT, we are reminded of the significance and value of supporting and furthering this cause for gender equality, female independence, and empowerment.